wY

Wyoming, abbreviated WY in postal usage, is a state in the Mountain West region of the United States. It is the tenth-largest state by area and the least populous, with a land area of about 97,800 square miles and a 2020 population of 576,851. It borders Montana to the north, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Colorado to the south, Utah to the southwest, and Idaho to the west. The capital and largest city is Cheyenne.

Geography and climate: The state comprises high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains in the west. The western mountains include the Teton Range, and Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park lie within its borders. The climate ranges from semi-arid in the plains to alpine in higher elevations, with substantial variation by altitude.

History: Indigenous peoples such as the Shoshone and Crow inhabited the region long before European exploration. The area became part of the United States through 19th-century exploration and settlement; Wyoming Territory was established in 1868 and attained statehood on July 10, 1890 as the 44th state. Wyoming is nicknamed The Equality State for its early adoption of women's suffrage, and its motto is Equal Rights.

Economy and demographics: The economy centers on energy production—coal, natural gas, and oil—alongside cattle ranching and tourism, driven by Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The state has a sparse population and a low population density, with about 580,000 residents as of 2020.

Government and education: Wyoming has a republican form of government with a bicameral legislature and a governor. The University of Wyoming in Laramie is the state's flagship public university.

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